About Us

The mission of the Friends of Historic Grooms Tavern, in partnership with the Town of Clifton Park, is to restore and conserve the Grooms Tavern Complex as an educational, cultural and social center.

When the Town of Clifton Park acquired the historic Grooms Tavern from a private owner in late 1999, it was in a state of grave disrepair. Only significant and swift actions could successfully rehabilitate the site as a meaningful center of community activities.

The Friends of Historic Grooms Tavern, formed as a not-for-profit organization and separately chartered by the New York State Education Department, was formed to assist the Town of Clifton Park in restoring and managing the historic tavern and blacksmith shop. In 2005, the town acquired the nearby Mohawk Valley Grange Hall as a third historic structure. All three of these historic buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

As a support group, the Friends raise funds toward restoration projects, sponsor educational programs and special events relating to the history of the buildings and community, assist with exhibits and volunteer their expertise when necessary, helping the Town to better utilize these historic buildings.

Some of the recent projects the Friends have been able to have completed include:

• Developed a perennial garden
• Replicated the original tavern stairway, restored the kitchen fireplace, replicated the original mantel, and installed a kitchenette
• Restored the original privy.

Incorporated as a not-for-profit organization, and separately chartered by the New York State Education Department, the Friends of Historic Grooms Tavern serves as the manager and caretaker of this special place in the Town of Clifton Park, New York.

The property is actually owned by the Town of Clifton Park. The Friends group shall focus its attentions on the implementation of the restoration development plan, write grants and undertake fund raising events to raise funds toward these purposes, and serve as the stewards of the property on into the future. Included in this stewardship role is the development and oversight of policies and procedures governing its use for public purposes, scheduling events, employing staff, and ensuring its long-term maintenance.